Oil Found in Spark Plug Well (outside of cylinder)

CHEVROLET
Avatar
KARUPS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1998 Chevy Prizm 1.8L (same as Toyota Corolla) with 76,000 miles. When I changed the spark plugs, I some oil on the ceramic part of one of the plugs (#2 cylinder). There was also some on the threads. It was not a lot of oil, like this guy:
http://www.2carpros.com/forum/oil-in-3-spark-plug-housing-vt37698.html?highlight=oil+spark+plugs

but there was definitely a teaspoon full of oil.

Any ideas on what's wrong?

Incidentally, my car has been burning oil (not leaking) for the past 9 months or so...perhaps oil is leaking past some gasket and then into the chamber where it burns?

Thanks for your time!
May 7, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
SERVICE WRITER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 9,123 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/30961_prizm_1.jpg

Pull off the valve cover and get a closer look. The gaskets are probably leaking at the plug holes.
May 8, 2007 at 5:46 AM
Avatar
JARHEAD84
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
i would have to say that definently sounds like your valve cover gasket and for the burning oil its probably just what your leaking
May 8, 2007 at 10:54 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
BIGBADPIRATETOM
  • MEMBER
  • 19 POSTS
Unless your spark plugs are leaking, then the oil that is accumulating on top of them is most likely not what is causing oil smoke out of your tailpipe (if you are indeed burning oil). If your engine is simply consuming oil, and you don't know where it's going, then a leaky valve cover gasket (where it leaks oil onto the plugs) could definitely be your problem. When spark plugs are screwed in tightly, though, if oil accumulates on top of them, not enough is going to get into the engine that would produce visible smoke out of the tailpipe. That would be caused by worn rings and/or valves/valve guides.

If all you have is a problem with oil on top of the spark plugs, be sure to try to fix it, and even if you can't get it to go away completely (I have found that getting those gaskets to seal perfectly can be difficult), be sure to clean off the spark plugs/wires from time to time. Used oil contains carbon, and this can cause a misfire--poor fuel economy.

Thomas
Sep 18, 2007 at 1:52 PM